Local Knowledge: 2010 Tour Championship

The PGA Tour will crown its FedExCup champion at the conclusion of this week&#39;s Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

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Five players, including local favorite Matt Kuchar, have a chance to win the FedExCup this weekend.

T.J. Auclair, Interactive Producer

PGA.com

The PGA Tour will crown its FedExCup champion at the conclusion of this week's Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Georgia Tech product and local favorite Matt Kuchar is in the driver's seat. Before the start of the tournament, we spoke to East Lake PGA Director of Golf Rick Burton to learn more about what's going on.PGA.com: Let's start out with the man who's No. 1 in the FedExCup standings and is having arguably the best season on Tour - Matt Kuchar. How exciting is it to have Matt, a Georgia Tech product who is very familiar with East Lake, essentially coming home with a great shot at becoming the FedExCup champ?Burton: Matt is a really good guy as are all of the Tech players we come in contact with. It could not happen to a nicer player should Matt win. He has it right and is a great role model for the youngsters. PGA.com: One huge name missing from this year's Tour Championship is Tiger Woods. As good as he is, are you surprised at all that he didn't manage to qualify for this week's field, or do you think it was to be expected considering the year he's had?Burton: With what has gone on in his life the past 10 months I am really surprised he played as well as he did. It will have an effect on ticket sales but hopefully Matt will play well and make up for it. PGA.com: It could be argued that the FedExCup is more wide open at the Tour Championship this week than it's ever been in the past. How much more interesting to you think that makes the event for fans?Burton: Hopefully it will be very interesting come Sunday afternoon. There's lots of talent here. The young guns are planning a hostile take over of the Tour. PGA.com: Can you tell us a little about the condition of the course this week?Burton: It may be the best conditioned course they have played this year. It's outstanding in every way. Ralph Kepple, our superintendent, has done a world-class job. Players will love it and it should provide a stern test. PGA.com: Final thing, Rick. As the host professional of the Tour Championship, what is your favorite part of tournament week year in and year out?Burton: This is our 10th year and the favorite thing for me (other than Sunday evening) is to see how seamlessly our staff puts everything together. It's quite amazing. They're the best in the business.

The PGA Tour will crown its FedExCup champion at the conclusion of this week's Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Georgia Tech product and local favorite Matt Kuchar is in the driver's seat. Before the start of the tournament, we spoke to East Lake PGA Director of Golf Rick Burton to learn more about what's going on.PGA.com: Let's start out with the man who's No. 1 in the FedExCup standings and is having arguably the best season on Tour - Matt Kuchar. How exciting is it to have Matt, a Georgia Tech product who is very familiar with East Lake, essentially coming home with a great shot at becoming the FedExCup champ?Burton: Matt is a really good guy as are all of the Tech players we come in contact with. It could not happen to a nicer player should Matt win. He has it right and is a great role model for the youngsters. PGA.com: One huge name missing from this year's Tour Championship is Tiger Woods. As good as he is, are you surprised at all that he didn't manage to qualify for this week's field, or do you think it was to be expected considering the year he's had?Burton: With what has gone on in his life the past 10 months I am really surprised he played as well as he did. It will have an effect on ticket sales but hopefully Matt will play well and make up for it. PGA.com: It could be argued that the FedExCup is more wide open at the Tour Championship this week than it's ever been in the past. How much more interesting to you think that makes the event for fans?Burton: Hopefully it will be very interesting come Sunday afternoon. There's lots of talent here. The young guns are planning a hostile take over of the Tour. PGA.com: Can you tell us a little about the condition of the course this week?Burton: It may be the best conditioned course they have played this year. It's outstanding in every way. Ralph Kepple, our superintendent, has done a world-class job. Players will love it and it should provide a stern test. PGA.com: Final thing, Rick. As the host professional of the Tour Championship, what is your favorite part of tournament week year in and year out?Burton: This is our 10th year and the favorite thing for me (other than Sunday evening) is to see how seamlessly our staff puts everything together. It's quite amazing. They're the best in the business.